FULLERTON, CA (March 21, 2013) – Norio Karashima, former President and CEO of Yokohama Tire Corporation (YTC), is returning as executive advisor to the company’s Fullerton, CA headquarters, effective April 1. The announcement was made by The Yokohama Rubber Company, Ltd. (YRC), YTC’s parent company in Tokyo, Japan.

“Mr. Karashima has a deep understanding of YRC’s long-term plans, goals and capabilities at the highest level,” said Yasushi Tanaka, YTC’s president and CEO. “Coupled with his extensive knowledge of the market and the dealer network in the U.S., he is in a unique position to advise our executive management team and make the strategies we have put together that much stronger in steadily growing our sales. We are excited to have him join us as Executive Advisor and Chairman.”

Karashima joined YRC in 1976 and has held several executive positions in his career including being named President of Yokohama Reifen in Germany in 2002, President of YTC in 2004 and President of Yokohama Rubber (China) in 2008. His most recent title was Director and Executive Vice President, Chief Global Marketing Officer.

Yokohama Tire Corporation is the North American manufacturing and marketing arm of Tokyo, Japan-based The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., a global manufacturing and sales company of premium tires since 1917. Servicing a network of more than 4,500 points of sale in the U.S., Yokohama Tire Corporation is a leader in technology and innovation. The company’s complete product line includes the all-new AVID Ascend® – the first mass-market tire using Yokohama’s breakthrough orange oil technology – as well as tires for high-performance, light truck, passenger car, commercial truck and bus, and off-the-road mining and construction applications. For more information on Yokohama’s extensive product line, visit www.yokohamatire.com.

Yokohama is a strong supporter of the tire care and safety guidelines established by the Rubber Manufacturers Association and the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration. Details can be found at the “Tire Safety” section at www.yokohamatire.com.